Rachel Flynn

Consultant Solicitor

Jurisdiction: England & Wales

Rachel has two distinct areas of experience and expertise. As an employment lawyer, she brings a common-sense perspective to complex problems and is well versed in resolving employment and commercial issues strategically, using negotiation, mediation and litigation. As a qualified workplace mediator with a client base that includes both businesses and their executives, she is experienced in advising on exit strategy negotiations and in tribunal claims.

In addition, Rachel has an industry-leading specialism in the horseracing and equine world, acting for a range of businesses and individuals in the sector, including Turf TV and the European Breeders’ Fund, on a wide range of legal issues, often where industry knowledge is required. She is also personally involved in the racing industry as an owner and former amateur jockey.

Rachel brings value, commercial insight and a client’s perspective to HR issues having spent a period as a main board director of British horseracing’s administrators, Weatherbys. She also delivers leadership and people skills training to the British Racing School’s trainers’ licensing courses.

Rachel is a founder member of Women in Racing and a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Rachel Flynn of Keystone Law has an excellent understanding of the horse racing industry and an ability to cut through the 'legal speak' and present options clearly. The project for the European Breeders Fund was thoroughly researched and delivered on time.

Kerry Murphy, Chief Executive European Breeders

Pragmatic, practical and responsive, Rachel understands our business and is always commercial in her approach. I would recommend her for employment work, particularly to anyone involved in horse racing.

Adrian Ford, CEO Turf TV

Rachel and I struck up an immediate rapport and she was an extremely helpful adviser and confidante in what proved to be a long negotiation requiring patience but also perseverance. Rachel was always available and prepared to meet locally or in London to suit. She was quick to respond with helpful and practical changes or contract amendments as well as important legal ones. It was also a pleasure to work with a solicitor who was prepared to look for the big issues rather than nit-picking items. The final solution was achieved amicably and successfully with both parties satisfied.

Bill Dastur, Finance Director Caambridge-based Company

I was truly grateful for your help and equine expertise- sometimes peace of mind requires more than just a handshake!

Julia Hammond, Owner International Showjumper

“Rachel was knowledgeable and yet had a very practical approach that cut through the issues and got things resolved satisfactorily. Having used two other employment lawyers I would strongly recommend Rachel - she definitely stands out for me."

Mark Cusack

Whilst nobody wants to find themselves needing employment law advice, when it happens you need someone that not only knows the law but understands the impact such situations have on individuals. Rachel Flynn has been a pleasure to work with, a great combination of legal expertise with pragmatism and a touch of humour just at the right time. I would definitely recommend working with Rachel and the team at Keystone Law.

Legal advisors to the European Breeders’ Fund, advising on strategic constitutional issues and internal restructure.

Acting for a leading UK stud in relation to a dispute with Tattersalls over the sale of a horse in training.

Advised a well-known Newmarket stud farm on various thorny employment law issues.

Advised Jockey Club Racecourses on a diverse range of legal issues.

Dealing with professional negligence claims against veterinary surgeons and negotiating settlements with the Veterinary Defence Society

Advising on contracts for the sale and training of international show jumper

Advising on a contract for sale and part ownership of a valuable broodmare prospect to the US

Dealing with insurance claims relating to first-season infertility of stallions

Successfully defending at trial a tribunal claim against a Newmarket stud

Speaker at British Horseracing Authority trainers’ course on leadership skills

Advising the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and British Horseracing Authority on their guide, ‘Health and Safety in the Racing and Breeding Industry’

Clients say Rachel Flynn of Keystone Law stands out for her "ability to cut through the legal speak and explain options in layman's terms," as well as her "excellent understanding of the bloodstock industry and horse racing." She recently advised Racing UK and the British Racing School on various employment and safety issues.Chambers UK 2017

Consistently top-rated in Legal 500 and Chambers for horseracing and bloodstock.

Legal 500: ‘particularly excellent; her knowledge and expertise in the industry are unparalleled’, ‘efficient and effective’ and ‘knows the bloodstock industry like the back of her hand’. Also rated a rising star for employment work.